By Becky Hardin
Published Nov 15, 2023
Mascarpone Cheese is a rich and creamy Italian cream cheese used in recipes like Tiramisu. I love to keep it around the house for making desserts and as a fruit dip. Learning how to make it from scratch was a game changer for me. Easy, cost effective, and even more delicious than store bought.
Simple Mascarpone Substitute Recipe
It started when I needed Mascarpone for making Tiramisu, and the store was completely out. I learned how to make this homemade version, and I’ve never looked back. I was instantly hooked. It’s super simple and easy to make, and packs a delicious and creamy flavor punch that store-bought just can’t capture. It’s the perfect substitute for both texture and taste, and I bet you already have the ingredients in your pantry.
5-Star Review
“Thank you for posting this!! It is so hard to find mascarpone cheese around here, but I can find all the ingredients needed to make it. Now I can finally make things that call for this cheese!!” -Upsidedownpear
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 16 ounces cream cheese 454 grams, room temperature (2 bricks)
- ▢ ⅓ cup sour cream 76 grams
- ▢ ¼ cup heavy whipping cream 57 grams
- ▢ 1 tablespoon lemon juice 14 grams, freshly squeezed
Video
Instructions
- Measure all ingredients and add them into a blender or small food processor. 16 ounces cream cheese, ⅓ cup sour cream, ¼ cup heavy whipping cream, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Blend all ingredients together until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Chill to firm up the cheese.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- High Powered Blender OR
- Food Processor
Becky’s Tips
- You can also use cream of tartar or white vinegar in place of lemon juice.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Mascarpone Cheese Step-by-Step
Measure the Ingredients: Add 16 ounces (2 bricks) of cream cheese, ⅓ cup of sour cream, ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into a blender or small food processor.
Blend the Cheese: Blend all ingredients together until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
Chill the Cheese: Chill to firm up the cheese.
Why is my mascarpone substitute grainy?
If you overmix the ingredients, it might come out slightly grainy. To fix this, simply fold in another splash of heavy cream.
How to Store
Store mascarpone cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you need it for a recipe, it’s best to let it chill in the fridge for a couple of hours before using it.
I don’t recommend freezing it because it will separate when thawed, but you can re-whip it to freshen it up if needed.
How to Use
This mascarpone cheese can be used as a substitute in any recipe that calls for it, like tiramisu (or these tiramisu cups ), cheesecakes, and other desserts. It can also be used in place of whipped cream in many recipes for a thicker and richer option. And it’s a tasty dip or spread all on its own, with fruit, sweet breads, bagels, and more.
I find that it is delicious with savory dishes as well, and can be used as a topping for pizza and pastas, to make rich au gratin potatoes , or to thicken sauces in recipes like this chicken marsala . It’s also a star ingredient of this creamed corn with bacon !
More Homemade Cheese Recipes
Boursin Cheese Recipe
Homemade Ricotta Cheese (Ricotta Recipe)
Cottage Cheese Recipe (Amish Inspired)
Pimento Cheese Recipe
Mascarpone Cheese Recipe (Mascarpone Substitute)
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- High Powered Blender OR
- Food Processor
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese 454 grams, room temperature (2 bricks)
- ⅓ cup sour cream 76 grams
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream 57 grams
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice 14 grams, freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Measure all ingredients and add them into a blender or small food processor. 16 ounces cream cheese, ⅓ cup sour cream, ¼ cup heavy whipping cream, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Blend all ingredients together until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Chill to firm up the cheese.
Video
Notes
- You can also use cream of tartar or white vinegar in place of lemon juice.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
